Cluley’s Roy Lee isn’t afraid to stir the pot — and he’s carrying that adventurous energy interrupt phase But TechCrunch Disrupt 2025Taking place October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco.
He’ll discuss in detail how he’s building one of the hottest startups in AI, why stirring up controversy can be a growth strategy, and what it takes to stand out in a noisy consumer tech market. Don’t miss this chance to see Roy Lee cause a stir at Disrupt. Register here to save up to $444 on your pass, and get 60% off a second.

How Roy Lee’s anger created a $15 million AI startup
roy lee Co-Founder and CEO of ClearlyAn AI meeting assistant that provides real-time information and turns conversations into searchable and shareable reports. There are hundreds of companies offering similar products, so why do we care about Cluly? What really sets Lee apart is his mastery of focus. In an era when most startups struggle to attract attention, Lee has made anger-provoking social media content his business model.
Lee originally went viral as a Columbia University student who got into trouble for cheating on Big Tech interviews with an AI assistant he created, which he documented on social media. Lee then left the company and launched Cluly, which was initially billed as “a startup that cheats on everything.” It was a tagline designed to ruffle feathers and encourage engagement – a strategy that Cluley has become famous for, and others have tried to copy.
Say what you want about Lee’s marketing efforts, but Cluley regularly breaks through the noise of social media and press releases, earning the startup visibility that companies 10 times its size struggle to purchase. Lee operates Cluley on the principle that most companies are playing it too safe and to win the consumer market all you need to do is pay attention.
Cluly raises $15 million in Series A Andreessen Horowitz It launched this year and has spent its funding on a flashy launch video, dozens of content creator interns, and a huge office in San Francisco. Li is one of the founders at the center of the AI bubble, and he has used this to his advantage.

Learn how stirring the pot drives growth – get your pass before prices soar
But TechCrunch Disrupt 2025Lee will share how he thinks about virality as a marketing strategy, his thoughts on the AI bubble, and how Cluly is building a sustainable business on top of its social media fame. Register now to save up to $444 on your pass, plus get 60% off a second, Prices increase when the event doors open on October 27.
techcrunch event
san francisco
,
October 27-29, 2025

